Identification possible Parang or something else?

fireiceviper · 10th June 2014, 12:52 PM

Originally posted over at the bladeforums in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...dentificiation

I Purchased this a couple of weeks ago at a flee market; the seller told me it came from France and used to have an "ivory" or "ivory" like handle which had crumbled off.

All i have are pictures and although to me it looks old, it could be a fake especially since the shape is odd to me.

The guys over at bladeforums suggested that it could be a parang and this was the best place to research it.

I've attached a couple off pictures but i have a lot more, the link to the complete album is here https://picasaweb.google.com/1040976...Kry_4CFoMeDPA#

Anyone have any idea?

manteris1 · 10th June 2014, 10:14 PM

I think it may be African, just a guess............................jimmy

Rick · 11th June 2014, 01:05 AM

It looks a bit short for a sword; perhaps a Butcher's knife ?

drac2k · 11th June 2014, 04:27 AM

It looks old, hand forged and heavy. It has a hole in the end to hand up when done ; could it be a flensing knife for removing whale blubber or the meat ?

Robert · 11th June 2014, 05:53 AM

It doesn't look like any of the parangs that I have seen up to this point, but who knows what might show up tomorrow. I wonder if this might have once been mounted as a polearm?

Best,
Robert

RSWORD · 11th June 2014, 12:34 PM

This chopper reminds me in form to Chinese, Vietnamese and other SE Asian countries and it seems well made. It has a beveled edge with a hollow grind, however, the tang construction is different than what you would expect on a Chinese example. Still, I would lean in this direction based on what I can see in the pictures.

KuKulzA28 · 11th June 2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

This chopper reminds me in form to Chinese, Vietnamese and other SE Asian countries and it seems well made. It has a beveled edge with a hollow grind, however, the tang construction is different than what you would expect on a Chinese example. Still, I would lean in this direction based on what I can see in the pictures.

My thoughts exactly... I would think mainland SE Asia, similar to Chinese polearm in blade-shape but not all of its geometry and definitely not tang.

fireiceviper · 12th June 2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuKulzA28

My thoughts exactly... I would think mainland SE Asia, similar to Chinese polearm in blade-shape but not all of its geometry and definitely not tang.

i thought polearm to at first, but what about the tang? all the polearms i have seen have had the "wrap around" type.

And also the person i bought it from claimed it used to have an "ivory" handle...

not2sharp · 12th June 2014, 08:43 PM

How heavy is this?

n2s

not2sharp · 12th June 2014, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

It doesn't look like any of the parangs that I have seen up to this point, but who knows what might show up tomorrow. I wonder if this might have once been mounted as a polearm?

Best,
Robert

The tang looks like the handle had been peened pommel. Probably not a pole arm.

n2s

fireiceviper · 17th June 2014, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2sharp

How heavy is this?

n2s

i will measure its weight when i get home, stay tuned!

josh stout · 23rd June 2014, 03:18 PM

Vietnamese is a good guess, especially if it had an ivory or bone handle. With just the blade to go on, many regions with a Chinese influence are possible.

I have two short choppers that are somewhat similar, one from China and one from Vietnam, but neither is an exact match.
Josh

10th June 2014, 12:52 PM	#1
fireiceviper Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 87	Identification possible Parang or something else? Originally posted over at the bladeforums in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...dentificiation I Purchased this a couple of weeks ago at a flee market; the seller told me it came from France and used to have an "ivory" or "ivory" like handle which had crumbled off. All i have are pictures and although to me it looks old, it could be a fake especially since the shape is odd to me. The guys over at bladeforums suggested that it could be a parang and this was the best place to research it. I've attached a couple off pictures but i have a lot more, the link to the complete album is here https://picasaweb.google.com/1040976...Kry_4CFoMeDPA# Anyone have any idea? Attached Images

10th June 2014, 10:14 PM	#2
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	I think it may be African, just a guess............................jimmy

11th June 2014, 01:05 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	It looks a bit short for a sword; perhaps a Butcher's knife ?

11th June 2014, 04:27 AM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,229	It looks old, hand forged and heavy. It has a hole in the end to hand up when done ; could it be a flensing knife for removing whale blubber or the meat ?

11th June 2014, 05:53 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	It doesn't look like any of the parangs that I have seen up to this point, but who knows what might show up tomorrow. I wonder if this might have once been mounted as a polearm? Best, Robert

11th June 2014, 12:34 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	This chopper reminds me in form to Chinese, Vietnamese and other SE Asian countries and it seems well made. It has a beveled edge with a hollow grind, however, the tang construction is different than what you would expect on a Chinese example. Still, I would lean in this direction based on what I can see in the pictures.

12th June 2014, 08:43 PM	#9
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	How heavy is this? n2s

23rd June 2014, 03:18 PM	#12
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Vietnamese is a good guess, especially if it had an ivory or bone handle. With just the blade to go on, many regions with a Chinese influence are possible. I have two short choppers that are somewhat similar, one from China and one from Vietnam, but neither is an exact match. Josh